3 increasingly bold ways for Cavs to enter Russell Westbrook trade

Russell Westbrook is not long for the Los Angeles Lakers. Whether they work out a trade before the season, at the trade deadline or simply let him walk in free agency, the former MVP is not in the Lakers’ long-term plans. Could he be in the Cavs?

The Cleveland Cavaliers don’t want Westbrook as a part of their core moving forward; the onetime athletic marvel is now a step slower and a hundred steps more stubborn. He had a disaster of a season last year for the Lakers, and the question is not whether they want to keep him, but how many draft picks it will cost to get rid of him. The Cavs of course have been connected with another Lakers celebrity, but LeBron James can now only join the Cavs via trade.

The Cleveland Cavaliers could get involved in a Russell Westbrook trade. Here are three increasingly bold ways for the Cavs to step in

The Cavs have their point guard of the future in Darius Garland, and a newly-acquired shooting guard in Donovan Mitchell. If Westbrook is involved in a trade it won’t be as a replacement for either, nor because of Westbrook’s play on the court. It will instead be an asset play, a shot at capturing value from a depressed situation.

To that end, here are three ways the Cavs could be involved in a Russell Westbrook trade. They could send a draft pick for a player, as they did with Jarrett Allen two seasons ago. They could send out a player to get a pick in return. Finally, there is one scenario where it may make sense for the Cavs to trade for Westbrook himself. Let’s take a closer look.